He is accused of leaving two voicemail messages at Cantor's office in suburban Richmond on the evening of Oct. 27. In the profanity-laced messages, the caller calls Cantor "Jew boy." He
also says he is going to destroy Cantor, rape his daughter and kill his wife.

"Threatening to harm the family of a public official is a very serious charge, and we are grateful to the FBI and their law enforcement partners for their quick action in this case," said U.S. Attorney Neil MacBride.

Swift made a preliminary appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge C. Clifford Shirley Jr. in Knoxville on Thursday. The FBI said Swift allegedly admitted to making the threatening phone calls to Cantor's office. In the criminal complaint, officials said that when Swift was approached by FBI agents, he allegedly said he knew why they were there and that he "got drunk the other night and started cussing people out."

Cantor spokeswoman Laena Fallon said the congressman had no comment on the threats.

Court records do not list an attorney for Swift. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison if convicted.